Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) blocks angiotensin II-induced T cell proliferation by suppressing autocrine production of interleukin-2

Angiotensin II (Ang II) elicits numerous inflammatory-proliferative responses in vascular cells, thereby being involved in atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) blocks the Ang II-induced endothelial cell activation, thus suggesting that PEDF may play a role in atherosclerosis. However, effects of PEDF on T cell activation, another key steps of atherosclerosis, remain to be elucidated. In this study, we examined whether PEDF could inhibit the Ang II-induced MOLT-3 T cell proliferation in vitro and the way that it might achieve this effect. Ang II significantly stimulated DNA synthesis in MOLT-3 T cells, which was inhibited by PEDF, olmesartan, an Ang II type I receptor blocker, an anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or antibodies directed against IL-2. PEDF or NAC suppressed gene expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in Ang II-exposed MOLT-3 T cells. Furthermore, PEDF blocked the Ang II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase activity in MOLT-3 T cells. These results demonstrate that PEDF inhibits the Ang II-induced T cell proliferation by blocking autocrine production of IL-2 via suppression of NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation. Blockade by PEDF of T cell activation may become a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.